What are the TalkTools® Itsy Spoons?

The TalkTools Itsy Spoons set includes two spoons: one textured and one smooth. Each spoon has a soft, child-sized bowl and a short, bulb-shaped handle for small hands. Because the spoons follow a child’s feeding progress, you can match the spoon to their current skill level and sensory needs.

What’s Included

• Textured Itsy Spoon – grooved, sloped bowl for extra sensory input and better food stability.
• Smooth Itsy Spoon – shallow, smooth bowl for small, safer portions as control improves.
• Ergonomic handles – bulb-shaped handles that support easy grasp and hand-to-mouth movement.
• Silicone construction – LFGB platinum-grade silicone, free from BPA, BPS, PVC, and phthalates.

How it works

First, many families and clinicians start with the textured Itsy Spoon. The grooves help food stay on the spoon and add gentle sensory input, so early bites often feel more successful.

Next, as the child learns to control how much they take, you introduce the smooth spoon. Its shallow bowl naturally limits portions, so children practice small, predictable bites. Meanwhile, the short, rounded handle encourages a neutral wrist and steadier hand-to-mouth movement.

How it works (in OPT)

Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) uses specific mouth movements and tactile input to support speech and feeding skills. TalkTools builds tools like Itsy Spoons to carry OPT ideas into real-world routines, including mealtimes.

In feeding-focused OPT carryover, clinicians may use Itsy Spoons to:

• encourage lip closure at the spoon
• support controlled bolus size with the shallow bowl
• provide graded sensory input with the textured option
• practice midline presentation and stable head–neck posture

As a result, practice in the clinic and practice at home can look and feel similar, which often leads to better follow-through.

Benefits & use cases

• Supports early self-feeding skills for babies and toddlers, including children with sensory or developmental challenges.
• Helps build grasp, hand rotation, and hand-to-mouth coordination with ergonomic bulb handles.
• Offers textured and smooth options to match different stages, sensitivities, and baby-led weaning styles.
• Fits easily into clinic-to-home programs alongside other TalkTools feeding tools such as the Itsy Cup and Itsy Plate.
• Works well in homes, early intervention, and clinic settings for daily, repeated practice. 

Who it’s for

TalkTools Itsy Spoons are designed for:

• Speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists working on first spoon feeding and oral-sensory acceptance.
• Parents and caregivers supporting early solids or self-feeding, especially when feeding feels hard or overwhelming.
• Feeding teams who want consistent tools from therapy sessions to home meals.

Always match activities to the child’s developmental level and supervise every mealtime. For complex feeding or medical concerns, you should work with a qualified clinician; results can vary and no medical outcomes are guaranteed.

How to use

1. Start with textured. First, place a small amount of smooth purée or soft mashed food on the textured Itsy Spoon. Because the grooves hold food, the child usually finds it easier to keep the bite on the spoon.
2. Present at midline. Then present the spoon at the child’s midline with their head and neck in a neutral, supported position. Gently cue lip closure and allow time to clear the spoon.
3. Transition to smooth. As intake control improves, switch more often to the smooth Itsy Spoon. Keep portions small so each bite feels safe and predictable.
4. Build an independent grasp. Encourage the child to hold the bulb handle and guide the spoon to their mouth. Gradually fade hand-over-hand support as skills and confidence grow.
5. Keep sessions positive. Finally, keep mealtimes short, positive, and responsive. Stop if you see signs of fatigue, stress, or refusal, and discuss concerns with your clinician.

Care & Safety

TalkTools Itsy Spoons use LFGB platinum-grade silicone that resists odors and stains. You can clean them in the dishwasher or by hand with mild soap and water.

For safe use:

• Wash before first use and after each meal.
• Check regularly for signs of wear and replace if you see tears or thinning.
• Use only as feeding tools; do not use them as toys or teethers.
• Always supervise babies and children when they use Itsy Spoons.

They perform best between 32°F and 212°F (0–100°C), which also makes them microwave-safe when used as directed.

Key takeaways

• Itsy Spoons is a two-spoon set: one textured for sensory input and food stability, one smooth and shallow for portion control.
• Short, bulb-shaped handles support grasp, fine-motor skills, and steady hand-to-mouth movement.
• LFGB platinum-grade silicone offers durability and easy cleaning, and it is free from common toxins.
• The set brings TalkTools feeding and OPT principles into everyday, real-world mealtimes.

FAQs

Related terms

• Itsy Cup – sloped-lid training cup with straw and open-cup options for early drinking skills.
• Itsy Plate – silicone plate sized for early self-feeding.
• Itsy Beginner Set – bundle including plate, cup, spoons, and more for a coordinated self-feeding setup.
• Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) – TalkTools’ tactile, muscle-based approach to improving speech clarity and feeding skills.
• Honey Bear – controlled-flow straw cup used for teaching first sips.
• Straw Kit – graded straw hierarchy used in TalkTools feeding and speech programs.

Resources

• “What is OPT?” – TalkTools explanation of Oral Placement Therapy and how tactile input supports speech and feeding work.

• TalkTools Itsy Spoons product page – detailed features, specs, and color options. 

• TalkTools Itsy & Bitsy Self-Feeding Collection – overview of the full self-feeding line and how pieces work together.

• TalkTools For Parents hub – guidance, videos, and resources on using TalkTools methods at home.